If you've ever been stuck at a gate in Chicago watching a tiny orange truck spray your plane with what looks like neon Gatorade, you know that weather for Chicago O'Hare airport is basically its own sport. It’s a beast. Honestly, O’Hare (ORD) isn't just an airport; it’s a massive machine that has to fight Lake Michigan, polar vortexes, and the occasional horizontal blizzard just to keep the "busiest airport" title within reach.
Right now, as of early Friday, January 16, 2026, it is a crisp 23°F at the airfield. Feels like 12°F though. Wind is coming out of the south at 12 mph. It's cloudy, which is pretty much the standard uniform for Chicago in mid-January.
What is happening at O’Hare today?
Today is going to be one of those "mix" days. We are looking at a high of 37°F and a low of 15°F.
The big story for today, January 16, is the snow. We've got about a 55% chance of it during the day, dropping to 35% tonight. It’s not a "shut down the city" kind of storm, but it’s enough to trigger the de-icing crews. Winds will stay around 13 mph from the southwest.
Basically, if you’re flying today, expect some "gate hold" or "taxi delays." Usually, these are clocking in at 15 minutes or less right now, but that can change the second a snow squall hits.
The Science of the "Orange Juice"
Most people see the de-icing process and think it’s just a car wash for planes. Sorta. But it’s actually incredibly technical. Gene Herrick, who manages de-icing for American Airlines at ORD, has pointed out that they de-ice planes 6,000 to 10,000 times a season.
They use two types of fluid:
- Type I (Orange): This is the heated stuff (140°F) that melts the frost and ice already on the plane.
- Type IV (Green): This is the "holdover" fluid. It’s thick and prevents new ice from sticking while the plane taxis to the runway.
O’Hare has a massive Centralized Deicing Facility (CDF). It’s the largest in the U.S. and the second-largest in the world. It can handle 20 narrow-body planes at once. This facility is the reason O’Hare stays open when other airports would have folded their cards hours ago.
The Lake Effect and Why Your Pilot is Sweating
Lake Michigan is about 15 miles east of O'Hare, and it’s a mood-killer for flight schedules. When cold air from Canada hits that relatively warm water, it creates "lake-effect" snow. The problem is that these snow bands are narrow. It might be sunny in the Loop, but O’Hare could be under a whiteout.
Wait, what about the wind?
Chicago isn’t called the Windy City because of the weather (it’s actually about 19th-century politicians), but the wind at O'Hare is no joke. Today’s 13 mph gusts are mild. Sometimes we see gusts over 30 mph that force the FAA to change runway configurations. When that happens, planes have to line up in a single file, and that’s when your 1:00 PM flight becomes a 4:00 PM flight.
Survival Tips for ORD Weather
- The 9-Minute Rule: Airlines like American aim to de-ice a plane in nine minutes. If you’re sitting on the tarmac, don't panic. They’re fast.
- Check the TAF: If you really want to look like a pro, search for the "TAF KORD." It’s the Terminal Area Forecast. It’s what pilots use. If you see "SN" or "BLSN," pack an extra snack.
- The Humidity Factor: Currently, humidity is at 81%. That’s high. High humidity at near-freezing temperatures means frost builds up on wings faster. Even if it’s not snowing, you might still need to de-ice.
The next few days aren't getting much warmer. Tomorrow, Saturday, the high drops to 18°F with more snow showers. Sunday stays at 18°F, but the low hits 0°F. Monday? A high of 6°F and a low of -1°F. If you’re traveling early next week, wear layers.
Your Actionable Checklist
If you are heading to the airport today or this weekend:
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- Check your airline's app every 30 minutes. Don't rely on the screens at the airport; the apps usually update 5-10 minutes faster.
- Factor in the "L" or Shuttle time. If it’s snowing, the Kennedy Expressway (I-90) turns into a parking lot. Give yourself an extra 45 minutes just for the drive.
- Download a TAF decoder app. It turns the weird pilot codes into plain English so you know exactly when the snow is expected to stop.
- Watch the wind direction. If the wind shifts to the North (it's currently South/Southwest), expect the runway arrival patterns to change, which almost always causes a temporary "stack up" in the air.
O'Hare is built for this. It’s a tank of an airport. Just give the crews room to work, and you'll eventually get where you're going.